ST LUKE WITH HOLY TRINITY, CHARLTON
Annual report of the Parochial Church Council, for the year ending December 31[st] 2025
Administrative information
St Luke with Holy Trinity is situated in The Village, Charlton, London SE7 8UG. Together with St Thomas: Old Charlton it makes up the United Benefice of Charlton in the Deanery of Charlton, in the Diocese of Southwark, within the Church of England. The joint patrons of the United Benefice of Charlton are The Right Reverend The Lord Bishop of Southwark and the nominated heir to the late Viscount Gough, who died in April 2023. The current Bishop of Southwark is retiring in August 2026 and we await confirmation of the new co-patrons.
The correspondence address for St Luke’s is as above or admin@charlton.church. The official rectory for Charlton Benefice is St Thomas House, Maryon Road, Charlton, London SE7 8DJ, however this is not occupied by the current Rector. “The Rectory” at 185 Charlton Church Lane is a Diocesan property and currently the home of the Vicar of St George’s, Westcombe Park.
Until February 2025 St Luke’s Parochial Church Council (PCC) was “ a charity excepted from registration with the Charity Commission” , registered with HMRC (XT27648). As of 17[th] February 2025 St Luke’s PCC is now a Registered Charity (“ The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Luke with Holy Trinity, Charlton in the Diocese of Southwark ” - registered charity number 1212164)
PCC members who have served from 1[st] January 2025 until the date of this report was approved are:
| Incumbent | The Revd Elizabeth Newman | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Wardens | (2) | Isla Carlin | elected at 2023 APCC |
| Barbara Hunte | elected at 2024 APCC | ||
| Richard Newman | to 2024 APCM |
Charlton Deanery Synod Lay Representatives (3)
| Liz Buck | elected at 2023 APCM | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Newman | elected at 2023 APCM | ||
| Alfred Galloway | elected at 2025 APCM | ||
| Elected members | (12) | Sonia Baidoo | re-elected at 2025 APCM |
| May Dappa | re-elected at 2025 APCM | ||
| Deborah Jones | elected at 2025 APCM | ||
| Jennifer Lodge | re-elected at 2025 APCM | ||
| Peter Osezua | to 2024 APCM | ||
| Michael Passmore | re-elected at 2025 APCM | ||
| Pero Samuel | elected at 2025 APCM |
Blanca Seaton Smith re-elected at 2025 APCM Yvonne Simpson re-elected at 2025 APCM Fiona Sinfield BEM re-elected at 2025 APCM Joseph Spooner re-elected at 2025 APCM Julianna Sutton re-elected at 2024 APCM Anthony Webb elected at 2025 APCM Gwen Zammit BEM re-elected at 2025 APCM Co-opted members Revd Owen Morgan Pioneer Curate Ex-officio members PCC Secretary Julia Drew Acting Treasurer Richard Newman to 31.12.25
Structure Governance and Management
The Parochial Church Council is the governing body of a parish church. As the main decision maker of a parish, the PCC is responsible for the overall wellbeing, practical as well as spiritual, of their church, the church members, and the church buildings. Under the leadership of the incumbent, the PCC is a team made up of members of clergy and lay members. Two churchwardens are elected at the Annual Meeting of Parishioners (formally known as the Easter Vestry Meeting) held immediately before the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) at which members of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) are elected. The powers and duties of the PCC are defined by legislation and can principally be found in the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956. The PCC also has a duty to promote the mission of the church within the wider community. The past year has continued to see a number of subgroups support the working of the PCC, which continues to meet every other month.
All PCCs are charities and must comply with the Charity Commission guidance and legislation in relation to charities. Every member of a PCC is therefore a charity trustee.
Legally, the PCC is responsible for the finances of the parish. It also has ultimate responsibility for the care and maintenance of all church buildings and their contents. Although these responsibilities are executed by the churchwardens, all PCC members must share in the responsibility.
Traditionally St Luke’s churchwardens usually stood down after serving in office for three years however, as with PCC members, they serve for 12 months at a time and stand for re-election to office. Election of churchwardens at the Meeting of Parishioners is governed by the 2001 Churchwardens Measures. Election of PCC members is governed by the Church Representation Rules 2022. It remains policy at St Luke’s that those elected onto the PCC serve for a period of 12 months rather than the three years as is encouraged under the 2020 Church Representation Rules, however, individuals may stand for re-election. Every APCM should confirm the intention to maintain this policy or change to the default whereby PCC members are elected to serve for three years. Elected members are required to confirm their eligibility to be a ‘charity trustee’. Given the number on the electoral roll at the time of the 2025 APCM, St Luke’s qualifies to elect three lay representatives to Charlton Deanery Synod to serve for a term of three years. Elections to Deanery Synod are next due to take place in 2026. St Luke’s lay representatives to Charlton Deanery Synod are automatically ex-officio members of St Luke’s PCC
Anyone qualified to do so is encouraged to join the Parish Electoral Roll, membership of which is a requirement for eligibility to stand for election to the PCC. The Electoral Roll is fully revised every
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six years and is otherwise regularly updated. The Electoral Roll was be fully revised ahead of the 2025 APCM. The next full revision will be in 2031.
As the Electoral Roll stood at 96 at the time of the 2025 APCM, the 2025 APCM can elect only nine PCC members rather than twelve as previously when the electoral roll was over 100
Objectives and Activities
The PCC co-operates with the Rector, the Clergy and Churchwardens in promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church. This applies both to pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical activity at St Luke’s Church and also at St Richard’s Church Centre, in Swallowfield Road, Charlton, London SE7 7NR.
Financial Review
The annual accounts for the year ending 31[st] December 2025 are attached to this report. Total income for 2025 was £130,252 against total expenditure of £129,735. This gives a net income gain of £515 Overall however there was an overall loss for the year of £7,269 due to a depreciation in the value of investments of £7,784. All our investments are deemed ethical and are overseen by CCLA. CCLA manages investments on behalf of much of the Church of England and many local authorities, however CCLA has performed poorly over the past two years compared to market trends.
In 2025 St Luke’s paid in full its agreed Parish Share (the annual contribution to the Diocese), which has been increased for 2026. The Rector receives a full stipend as does the curate.
Day-to-day income was consistent with 2024 however a fall in regular giving and donations was masked by an unrestricted legacy from the estate of the late Viscount Gough.
St Luke’s PCC has previously agreed to adopt a deficit budget and to draw on reserves if required. There was no major repair work undertaken in 2025 and none is anticipated for the coming year. To date we have been able to reclaim VAT on building work under the Listed Places of Worship Scheme however this scheme is being curtailed by the government with effect from April 2026.
A budget has been approved for 2026 and is greatly assisted by our having ‘management accounting’. The creation of a Grants and Finance Committee sees Generous Giving as part of its remit and this will be revisited in the coming year alongside consideration of our engaging with the Parish Giving Scheme for more effective oversight and administration of regular giving / enduring declarations.
In 2025 considerable work has gone into overseeing our switching the PCC’s bank account from NatWest to the Co-Op. This required us to become a Registered Charity, something that would have had to happen in the next few years anyway.
We continue to receive a rental income from the telecommunications base station in the tower at St Luke’s as well as from investments. These bring a consistent dividend. As noted above, all our investments are ethically sound and almost all come under the custodianship of the Diocese.
The accounts reflect the growing regular income and expenditure relating to St Richard’s. Use of St Richard’s Church Centre increased in 2025 and income rose from £24,214 to £28,566 however running costs and maintenance increased from £20.930 to £29,380 resulting in a deficit £813 for the year. It is frustrating to note yet again that a significant uplift in the annual rent received for the substation is long overdue; the matter remains in the hands of the Solicitors for the Diocese as a number of other churches are also waiting on back-payment of rent uplifts from UKPN
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Achievement and Performance
There is Parish Eucharist every Sunday at St Luke’s, this has included benefice-wide all-age worship on alternate months. There is a midday Eucharist on Thursdays. Evening prayer is held at St Richard’s Church Centre on Tuesday at 6.00pm. In addition to long-established Messy Church, which meets at St Richard’s the new worshipping community at St Richard’s sees services on Sunday afternoons. There are additional services held in the Benefice throughout Holy Week and during Advent. Online broadcast of services which began during the Covid-19 pandemic as an alternative to in-person worship has continued, either from St Luke’s or St Thomas’, and is much appreciated. The services can also be viewed live on Zoom and later on YouTube.
Revd Liz Newman is in full-time ministry as the Rector of Charlton; she receives a full stipend. She has made clear her intention to retire at the end of October 2026 having been actively involved with St Luke’s for forty-four years. Following two years as a pioneer ordinand at St Richard’s, in June 2024 Revd Owen Morgan began his ministry here as a full-time stipendiary Pioneer Curate. He was priested in July 2025. We are blessed also by the ministries of Revd Bennett Spong, Revd Tristan Alexander-Watts and Revd John Philpott-Howard, all of whom are regularly preaching and presiding in the benefice.
The Rector continues to have a massive workload. She serves both parishes in the Benefice of Charlton. She is greatly assisted by Sarah Foord-Divers as the (paid) Benefice Administrator. Financial governance and the development of management accounting continues to require the engagement of a (paid) bookkeeper.
Revd Owen Morgan is active in the development of St Richard’s as a community that includes Play Café, Community Café, youth film nights, poetry and folk sessions and regular acoustic concerts under the banner of SouthEast Sessions.
In 2025 St Luke’s engaged Hugh Davies as Music Director at St Luke’s. His arrival at St Luke’s sees the church blessed with an accomplished organist who has also worked to rebuild the choir as well as the community choir.
Ashleigh Marsh continues as caretaker for St Richard’s; her contract is for four hours a week plus additional payment for opening and closing for one-off hirings such as birthday parties.
Fabric and furnishings
St Luke’s is a historic building and is Grade II* listed with English Heritage, noted as having “exceptional historical significance”. The PCC observes the requirements of Southwark Diocesan Advisory Committee and ensures relevant permissions are sought before any work is undertaken. The Inspecting Architect is appropriately qualified for the status of the building. A Quinquennial Inspection was undertaken as scheduled in 2024. The Quinquennial Inspection report confirmed extensive work had been undertaken in the past five years and although the building is now seen to be weather-proof it is an old building and requires a maintenance plan. This will include addressing recommendations from the QI and developing a maintenance team of volunteers. The Terrier (the official record of fabric and furnishings) is long-overdue for updating.
Although the Royal Borough of Greenwich is responsible for maintenance of the churchyard up to the height of about five feet, the attractive state of the churchyard and Memorial Garden continues to owe a huge amount to the dedication of the team that works on it weekly under the leadership of Deborah Jones. As agreed by the PCC work has been undertaken to prune and raise a number of trees to better improve the view of St Luke’s as well as to improve safety.
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St Luke’s is also responsible for St Richard’s Church Centre in Swallowfield Road. St Luke’s PCC has maintained its commitment to developing St Richard’s as a centre serving its community as well as growing the worshiping community that meets there regularly.
Safeguarding
In accordance with Section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure of 2016, St Luke’s PCC remains ever-mindful of its duty to have “due regard” to the House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. In accordance A Safe Church, St Luke’s PCC is committed to reviewing its safeguarding policies and practice annually . All members of the PCC are required to have a current Enhanced DBS check and to sign the diocesan confidential declaration form. They are also expected to complete safeguarding training to the level required by the diocese. Safeguarding is a standing item on the agenda for St Luke’s PCC.
Anyone hiring space at St Richard’s must comply with our safeguarding requirements.
Mission Action Plan
As approved by both PCCs in September 2022, missional priorities for the Benefice are Discipleship, Connection and Witness. All-Age worship has been established; the commitment to have a community choir has been maintained. Under our Witness priority we continue to support of Greenwich Foodbank. ‘Justice Sundays’ are a regular feature at St Luke’s. The Thursday coffee morning at St Luke’s is popular and has led in part to the increased attendance at the Midday Eucharist. Under our Connection priority, Liz Buck has continued to lead on our partnerships with schools across the benefice to help them develop and deliver a quality RE curriculum. Connections with Charlton Neighbourhood Forum, Charlton House, the Charlton Society, Greenwich Carers Centre, Charlton Safer Neighbourhood Panel, Charlton Together, Central Charlton Residents Association, and local councillors have all been maintained or deepened. As noted above, St Richard’s is a thriving community hub as well as supporting a new worshipping community.
Approved by the PCC
and signed on their behalf by
Revd Liz Newman Rector, The Benefice of Charlton
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Parochial Church Council of St.Lukes with Holy Trinity, Charlton
Statement of Financial Activities For the year ended 31 December 2025
| (Note) INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Voluntary income Activities for generating funds Income from investments Church activities TOTAL INCOME (1) EXPENDITURE ON: Church activities Raising funds TOTAL EXPENDITURE (2) NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) BEFORE INVESTMENT GAINS NET GAINS / (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS (3) NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) TRANSFER BETWEEN FUNDS NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS TOTAL FUNDS B/FORWARD TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total 2025 2025 2025 71,001 1,739 72,739 33,667 0 33,667 9,624 0 9,624 14,219 0 14,219 128,511 1,739 130,250 120,071 8,654 128,725 1,010 0 1,010 121,081 8,654 129,735 7,431 (6,916) 515 (7,784) 0 (7,784) (354) (6,916) (7,269) 7,027 (7,027) 0 6,673 (13,942) (7,269) 334,788 19,385 354,173 341,461 5,443 346,904 |
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total 2024 2024 2024 52,859 8,308 61,167 22,251 22,251 9,893 9,893 25,782 25,782 110,785 8,308 119,093 111,787 7,255 119,042 888 888 112,675 7,255 119,930 (1,890) 1,053 (837) 8,282 0 8,282 6,392 1,053 7,445 21,766 (21,766) 0 28,158 (20,713) 7,445 306,630 40,098 346,728 334,788 19,385 354,173 |
|---|---|---|
Parochial Church Council of St.Lukes with Holy Trinity, Charlton
Balance Sheet
at 31 December 2025
| FIXED ASSETS (Note) Investments (3) CURRENT ASSETS Debtors and prepayments (4) Short term deposits Cash at bank and in hand LIABILITIES Creditors - falling due within one year (5) NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL NET ASSETS FUNDS Unrestricted - General fund Restricted - Restorati (7a) - Other restricted funds (6) |
2025 £ 298,802 12,645 5,637 31,625 49,907 (1,805) 48,102 346,904 341,461 5,443 346,904 |
2024 £ 305,199 17,869 6,038 28,431 52,338 (3,364) 48,974 354,173 334,788 0 19,385 354,173 |
|---|---|---|
Approved by the Parochial Church Council
on ______
and signed on its behalf by:
The Revd. Liz Newman Barbara Hunte PCC Chair Churchwarden
The notes on pages 3 to 5 form part of these accounts.
Parochial Church Council of St.Lukes with Holy Trinity, Charlton Statement of Financial Activities
For the year ended 31 December 2025
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| (1) INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Voluntary income Regular giving: Gift Aided Donations Regular giving: Other Donations Collections at services Donations, appeals, etc. Legacy Grants: Projects Grants: Joe Lee Memorial Grants: Mixed Ecology Grant Grants: Listed Places of Worship Gift Aid tax Activities for generating funds Friends of St Luke's, sales, events NET Hire charges, fees Investments Dividends Interest on deposits etc. Church activities Fees for weddings & funerals Space hire, MAP activities etc. Other incoming resources TOTAL INCOME (2) EXPENDITURE ON: Church activities Mission giving & donations Diocesan parish share Other ministry costs Mission & outreach incl. church centre Church staff costs Church running and maintenance Church utility costs Church Centre costs incl. staff Major repairs to church centre Raising funds TOTAL EXPENDITURE |
General Fund Restoration R&M Fund Other Funds Unrestricted Restricted Restricted 26,852 2,926 17,200 0 10,000 2,278 335 1,403 245 11,500 71,001 0 1,739 322 16,870 16,475 33,667 0 0 9,624 9,624 0 0 655 5,138 8,426 14,219 0 0 128,511 0 1,739 677 47,676 3,860 6,189 1,896 25,969 15,626 3,970 16,104 6,758 0 120,071 0 8,654 1,010 121,081 0 8,654 |
Total 2025 26,852 2,926 17,200 0 10,000 2,278 335 1,403 245 11,500 72,739 322 16,870 16,475 33,667 9,624 0 9,624 655 5,138 8,426 14,219 130,250 677 47,676 3,860 8,085 25,969 15,626 3,970 22,862 0 128,725 1,010 129,735 |
Total 2024 23,560 8,305 10,855 880 6,970 1,133 9,464 61,167 1,748 16,000 4,503 22,251 7,525 2,368 9,893 381 15,070 10,331 25,782 119,093 662 45,406 3,633 10,417 21,826 16,829 3,681 13,064 3,524 119,042 888 119,930 |
|---|---|---|---|
Parochial Church Council of St.Lukes with Holy Trinity, Charlton Statement of Financial Activities For the year ended 31 December 2025
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
| (3) Investments CBF Global Equity fund CBF Investment fund CBF Short Duration Bond fund Barclays UK Alpha fund JPM UK Strategic Equity income fund M&G Charibond income shares M&G Charifund income shares CBF Deposit fund Market value at 1 January 2025 Net Disposals/Purchases Net revaluation gain Interest retained Market value at 31 December 2025 (4) Debtors Debtors for goods and services Gift Aid Tax recoverable Prepayments and accrued income (5) Liabilities: falling due within one year Renewal projects Accruals for utility and other costs Other creditors (6) Summary of Assets by Fund Unrestricted Funds (Note) £ Investments (3) 298,802 Current Assets 49,907 Liabilities: falling due w (5) (1,805) Total Net Assets 346,904 |
2025 £ 14,381 189,332 25,001 0 0 0 0 228,713 70,088 298,802 £ 305,199 1,387 (7,784) 0 298,802 2025 £ 0 11,512 1,133 12,645 2025 £ 0 1,805 0 1,805 Restricted Funds £ 0 0 0 0 |
2024 £ 15,231 197,124 24,404 0 0 0 8,996 245,755 59,444 305,199 2024 £ 375 16,594 900 17,869 2024 £ 0 1,838 1,526 3,364 Total 2025 £ 298,802 49,907 (1,805) 346,904 |
|---|---|---|
Parochial Church Council of St.Lukes with Holy Trinity, Charlton
Statement of Financial Activities For the year ended 31 December 2025 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
| (7) Summary of Fund Movements Unrestricted funds: General funds Designated fund Restricted funds: (Note) Restoration, repairs &m. (7a) Friends of St. Luke's Mission Action Plan funds Discipleship Connection Listening Project / All Ages Music at St. Richard's Music fund Mixed Ecology Grant St. Richard's garden St. Richard's Fresh Expressions Joe Lee Memorial Balance Sheet funds |
Balances Income Expenditure Investment Fund Balances 01 Jan 25 Gains Transfers 31 Dec 25 £ £ £ £ £ £ 323,172 120,250 (129,735) (7,784) 7,027 312,930 11,616 10,000 - - - 21,616 - - - 4,354 - - - (78) 4,276 1,961 - (1,128) 833 300 - (300) - - 542 542 6,970 - (6,970) - 5,104 - (779) 4,325 - - 913 913 696 - 300 996 - - 222 222 - 250 250 |
|---|---|
| 354,173 130,250 (129,735) (7,784) (0) 346,904 |
(7a) Restoration, Repairs & Maintenance fund
The transfer of £7,027 includes payments made from specific restricted funds, having been paid in the first instance from general funds.
Staff Costs
(8a) Providers of services to the PCC
During the year the PCC paid for part-time cleaning and management accounting services plus additional music and caretaking services when required. £27,736
(8b) PCC employees
| PCC employees | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Gross salaries | £27,736 | £18,833 | net of reimbursement from St. Thomas's |
| Employer's National Insurance | £173 | £0 | |
| Average no. of employees | 3 | 3 |
The PCC employed a Worship Music Leader at St Richard's, and an administrator and church centre caretaker (all part-time). No deductions are made for pension costs. There were no employee benefits to trustees or key management personnel in the previous or current years.
(9) Related Party Transactions
none
(9a) Payments to PCC members
No other personal payments or expenses were paid to any other PCC member, persons closely connected to them or related parties (2024: £530.00).
(9b) Donations received
The total of all donations made to the PCC by related parties, trustees included, was £7,730 (2024: £7,520).
Supplement St Richard's Church Centre Unrestricted Funds
| Voluntary income Regular giving Activities for generating funds Events, sales Hire charges, fees Income from church activities Community space, MAP activities etc. Insurance claim/other TOTAL INCOME Expenditure on church activities Mission costs Church Centre costs: Caretaker costs Cleaner costs Utility costs : Water Utility costs : Electricity Utility costs : Gas Insurance Running and maintenance Major repairs & redecoration Expenditure on raising funds TOTAL EXPENDITURE NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) Restricted funds: MAP Discipleship Music at St. Richard's St. Richard's garden |
Balances Income 01 Jan 25 £ £ 1,006 6,970 696 8,672 - |
2025 2024 £ £ 5,703 4,800 0 298 16,475 4,503 6,388 14,613 0 0 28,566 24,214 5,517 4,066 4,315 3,856 1,650 1,575 399 242 553 803 1,657 1,656 1,289 1,258 12,724 3,675 0 3,524 1,000 275 29,105 20,930 (539) 3,284 Expenditure Balances 31 Dec 25 £ £ (173) 833 (6,970) 0 300 996 (6,843) 1,829 |
|---|---|---|
There is no requirement for this page to be independently examined. This page is prepared solely for the purposes of the church & is not a required part of the accounts.
Independent Examlners Report to Trustees of The Parochial Church Councll of St Luke with Holy Trlnlty, Charlton I report to the chanty trustees on my examinalion of the accounts of the above regislared charity for the year ended 31" December 21Y25 whth are set oul on pages 1 to 5 and with the additional supplement page. Responslbllltles and bas1$ of rnport As the charfty trustees of the Trust. you are responsible for the preparatK)n of the accounts In accordance wllh the requiremeiits of Charities Act 2011 (Ihe Act"). l ¢on5ider that an audit is not required for this year under the secliim 144(21 of the CharitEs Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that indeFendent examina1 is needwj. It18 my responsiblllty to a.) ¢x8mlne the 8ccount8 under 8ectlon 145 ol tho 2011 AGt: b.) lollov4 the procedure lald down in the G8ner81 Directions 8rvon by the Charity Commi88ioner8 8eclion145 Isllbl ol 2011 Act: arKI c.) State whether partlcutai matters hav8 come to my8ll8ntlon. 8a•l¥ of IndepJnd•nt ts•mln•f• 3t•t•m•nt My ex8mlnatlon was carrièd out in accon1ance with the General Oireciions given by the Charity Commission. An 8xamination includes a revlew ol the accounting records kept by the charity gnd a comp8rlson of the accounts wfth those records. It 8190 Includes con81d&iing8ny unu8U81 It8m8 or dlsclosures in the flnan¢lèl $totemenis and seeklng èxp18n8tlon8 from you as tru8tee8 conc8rnlng any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not prtsde all the evbdence ihat would be required in an 8udlt. 8nd consequgntly I do nol express an 3jaI opinion on the viewgwen by thts account Ind•p•nd•nt ExAmln•r* StAt•m•nt In ¢onneciitsn with my examinlOn, no matter ha¥ come lo my attention: I I whlch glve8 me reo¥onable ¢8US¢ to believe that in anymaterièl respeci the roquirem8nt8 to keep occounilng records in accordance wth section 130 of the Aci or io prep8re Ilnancl81 stai•ment8. which accord with these accountlng records not bo•n MOL or 121 to which, in my vplnion. attgrfion Should be dfa%•n in order to enable a proper understandlngofthe ¥c¢ounl$ to b• r¢•ehed. Jodi Swtton CA 48407 94 Canberra Rd. LoTh4on, SE7 8PE Date 2 April 2026